Airplane barrier net

Abstract

A cargo barrier net (10) for retaining cargo within an aircraft fuselage in the event of a hard landing, crash landing, or in-flight turbulence is provided having a net structure made from Kevlar® or other materials having a high strength-to-weight ratio and end loops (20) made from straps of nylon or other materials having the ability to elongate and distend under an applied load. The end loops (20) attach the net structure to the tie-down frame within the aircraft's cargo compartment and, in the event of a hard landing or in-flight turbulence, the end loops (20) function to absorb forces placed upon the cargo barrier net (10) by elongating and distending under the shifting load. The cargo barrier net (10) also provides the advantage of being light weight due to the ability to use light weight, high strength materials such as Kevlar® for the net structure without compromising the needed ability for the cargo barrier net (10) to react to and compensate for shifting forces exerted upon the cargo barrier net (10) as cargo is jostled around during flight or landing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A restraining device comprising a net structure having a plurality of end terminations, said net structure made from a first material; and an end loop attached to at least some of said plurality of end terminations, said end loops made of a second material, wherein said first material has a strength-to-weight ratio higher than said second material and said second material has elongation properties higher than said first material. 
     
     
       2. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said net structure includes a first plurality of straps oriented in a first direction, a second plurality of straps oriented in a second direction different than said first direction, and means for connecting said first plurality of straps to said second plurality of straps at intersections thereof. 
     
     
       3. A restraining device according to claim 2 wherein said first plurality of straps and said second plurality of straps are interconnected at said intersections by stitching. 
     
     
       4. A restraining device according to claim 3 wherein said intersections of said first and second plurality of straps are formed by weaving said first and second plurality of straps. 
     
     
       5. A restraining device according to claim 3 wherein said intersections of said first and second plurality of straps are formed by overlaying said first plurality of straps on one side of said second plurality of straps. 
     
     
       6. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said end loops are attached to said end terminations along the periphery of said net structure by stitching. 
     
     
       7. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said end loops are formed on said end terminations by receiving each said end termination between ends of said end loop material. 
     
     
       8. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said end loops are formed on said end terminations by attaching one end of said end loops to said first material and an opposite end of said end loops to itself. 
     
     
       9. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said first material is Kevlar®. 
     
     
       10. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said second material is nylon. 
     
     
       11. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said second material is a polyester. 
     
     
       12. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said first material has a strength-to-weight ratio of between about 2.9 to about 3.0 when compared to said second material. 
     
     
       13. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said second material has elongation properties of between about 14 percent to about 18 percent. 
     
     
       14. A restraining device according to claim 1 wherein said second material has elongation properties of between about 14 percent to about 18 percent and said first material has elongation properties of between about 2 percent to about 10 percent.